Friday, April 10, 2015

Garden Walk and Giveaway

Spring is popping out all over!  
I love my garden walks this time of year because 
everyday there is something new blooming 
or emerging from the ground. 


My redbuds are leafing out and I've enjoyed
 their pink blossoms in the landscape for the past two weeks. Redbud trees are abundant in Oklahoma and signal spring is really here.    


The Japanese Maple leaves are the deepest crimson red and it's by far my favorite tree.  I planted a small one right off my patio so I could enjoy the color. 


Wisteria that I planted many years ago has reached maturity and is one of the delights in my garden.   When the wind blows (and it almost always does in Oklahoma) the scent carries throughout the garden.


Our last average frost date is April 1st and many gardeners in Oklahoma don't plant anything until April 15th.  I usually just start with potting up annuals in containers on my patio.  If we have a late frost I can easily move them and 
protect them from the cold.
I just have a hard time 
waiting until the 15th to purchase flowers!


This year I decided to purchase some larger pots and combine some of my favorite annuals for the patio.


This pot is planted with 'Lady in Red' salvia,  yellow million bells, crocosmia  'Lucifer' bulbs,  sweet potato vine and purple pansies.   This is a sure fire combo 
to attract hummingbirds.  


When the pansies die out there will be more room for the sweet potato vine.   My only problem is keeping the squirrels from eating the vine and digging up the bulbs.   
My dogs do a pretty good job of protecting my pots 
when they are outside.    



The farmer's market downtown had some beautiful lavender and I paired a Spanish variety with pink geraniums and marigolds.  All three are drought tolerant and make good companions. 


Since we are all trying to conserve water this year I am trying some new annuals that are more drought resistant.
These Gazinas are so pretty and come in a variety of colors.
They stay low and spread and look great in the front of the flower border or in pots.


The color combinations are so pretty all in one plant.   I love Gerbera daisies however I can't get them to rebloom very well in my garden so Gazinas 
will make a  great substitute. 


Lastly I would like to offer a giveaway for a
 gift card for $30 off a canvas print. 
I was asked to do a review for  
CanvasPop 
and was glad to accept the offer in exchange for a canvas and a gift card to be used for a giveaway to one of my followers.  

The canvas I received is 16 x 24 inches from a
 photo of my son while filming a documentary. 
The quality is excellent and exceeded my expectations. 
 I wasn't sure how a small photograph would 
look enlarged but it looks great! 



  He needed a poster to take to film festivals so the canvas was a great solution and the timing was perfect. 
The canvas arrived in a week and was delivered by Fed Ex.   The canvas was well packaged in bubble wrap and came complete with a wire hanger and ready to hang.  

This is a beautiful way to enjoy a special photograph 
and they offer many sizes with prices starting at $30. 
You can also create a  wonderful collage.  
What a perfect gift for Mother's Day or graduation a
canvas print would make. 
I'm already thinking of other photographs 
to have put on canvas.  


Please leave a comment to be entered for the
 $ 30 gift card
 and please follow if you haven't already. 

The folks at CanvasPop also offered a 35% discount
 to all my readers,  just use the 
code BLOOMERS35 
The discount expires April 30th, 2015.  


I will choose a winner April 17th!  




I'm linking with 

Cindy's Romantic Home
Show and Tell Friday 
and
Brenda's Cozy Little House
Tweak it Tuesday







18 comments:

  1. Sonia, you know it thrills me to see your garden. Your yard is one of the prettiest! I think you'll enjoy those big pots this year. It's so much fun when they fill out and it's easier to keep them watered. You've inspired me this morning. I've just started working on my pots because I've been too busy so far. So excited for this spring though. :)

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  2. Your garden is looking lovely...the hummingbirds will flock to the red sage. I always add that to my garden.

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  3. What a beautiful garden! I can't wait to get started on my garden.

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  4. I really enjoyed viewing your planters. We are moving into a condo late this summer and one of the downsides of that is no flower gardens. You have showed me some beautiful flower combinations to consider adding to my deck. Would love to win your giveaway too.Happy Planting.

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  5. Your flowers are beautiful. Just imagine what they will look like when they all fill out. Gorgeous.

    Judy

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  6. Your garden pics just made me excited about the warm weather and starting my own garden. Brittney House

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  7. Oh how nice it was to view your lovely garden flowers. It is refreshing to see since we are still in the melting ugly stages right now.
    Soon though we will be out there enjoying the newness of life in the budding trees and flowers.
    You do not have to enter me in your nice give away, I just wanted to stop in and visit,so happy I did.

    Have a glorious day tomorrow.
    Debbie

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  8. Hi Sonia, Love the red salvia and your wisteria - stunning! Our last frost date is around May 10 so we're behind you, yet we are ahead of average for this time. Lots of magnolias blooming and they are so beautiful. Thanks for sponsoring the giveaway. One of my flower/butterfly pics would look great on canvas!

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  9. I would love to turn my garden pictures into a lovely photo for my wall. This would be great!

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  10. Your garden is absolutely beautiful! I wish mine could look as pretty as yours!
    addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com
    Ashley C

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  11. I wish my garden looked half as nice as this!
    dez3b at yahoo dot com

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  12. I'm anxious to get my flower pots planted this year. Unfortunately the weather doesn't cooperate until around the first of June!

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  13. Oh how beautiful your flowers look. I almost cried when I saw your gorgeous Wisteria. Mine had not reached full maturity, and it looks like we lost it this Winter. I'm going to have to start it all over again, because I loved it.

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  14. Such a pretty way to bring the outside in. Love the canvas photos

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  15. Your yard and containers are beautiful Sonia! Love the redbuds. I miss them from when we visited Arkansas many years ago as I just loved those trees. Isn't it fun to travel and see all the local plants and trees?! Happy Gardening!

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  16. Beautiful! The photos truly capture it all!

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  17. Your flowers are absolutely beautiful and how proud you must be of your son. Living his dream!

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